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Sri Lankan Navy arrests 15 Indian fishermen and sinks fishing boat

15 fishermen from India have been arrested and detained by the Sri Lankan Navy in two separate incidents on Tuesday, which also saw a Sri Lankan Navy vessel collide with an Indian fishing boat causing it to sink.

According to a police inspector from Tamil Nadu's Q branch, the Sri Lankan Navy vessel collided with the Indian fishing boat near Katchatheevu, splitting it in two. As the 6 fishermen on board jumped into the sea to abandon the sinking boat, they were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Meanwhile, a further 9 fishermen were detained by Sri Lankan authorities, with fishing Association President T Jesuraja saying another two boats had sunk in the encounter.

The latest arrests follow a long history of the Sri Lankan Navy detaining Indian fishermen for alleged border violations. Talks between the two countries on the issue ended with Sri Lanka rejecting Indian proposals.

See more in our earlier posts:

Talks fail as Sri Lanka rejects India's fishing proposals (31 August 2014)

Sri Lanka should immediately release fishing boats – Tamil Nadu (30 August 2014)

Government will not let Indians fish in Lankan waters – Minister (24 August 2014)

Indian Prime Minister to discuss solution to fishermen issue (20 August 2014)

38 Indian fishermen arrested (22 July 2014)

SL navy arrest 39 Tamil Nadu fishermen (16 July 2014)

Jaya urges Modi to secure release of 64 fishermen arrest by SL navy (25 June 2014) 

Jayalalithaa slams renewed fishermen arrests by Sri Lanka (19 June 2014) 

India committed to 'permanent solution' over fishermen arrests(16 June 2014) 

Sri Lanka releases fishermen as Jaya calls for 'strong response'(09 June 2014)

Sri Lankan Navy arrests dozens of Indian fishermen (08 June 2014)

Sri Lanka releases Tamil Nadu fishermen amidst condemnation form Jayalalithaa (05 June 2014)

Jaya urges Modi to take 'strong and robust' response to fishermen arrest (01 Jun 2014)

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